As Obamacare Kickoff Nears, look out for scams

Friday, September 27, 2013

The first day of enrollment for the Affordable Care Act is October 1. On that day, people will be able to begin shopping for insurance plans on the newly created Health Insurance Marketplaces. Unfortunately, scammers are likely to use these changes as an opportunity to try to rip you off.

While the scammers’ approaches may differ, their goal will be the same: to con you into paying money that you don’t need to pay, sell you a fake product, or trick you into providing private information like Social Security or bank account numbers. They’ll try to get you to rush into action without taking the time to think it through or ask questions.

If someone asks for money to help you sign up for insurance, or presses you for sensitive personal information, here’s the best prescription: Hang up the phone, close the door, or delete that text or email.

We’re keeping a close eye on potential scams related to health care reform. For reliable information about the new Health Insurance Marketplaces, visit www.healthcare.gov/ or call 1-800-318-2596. If you’ve been the victim of a scam, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office on our website or call us at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll-free within North Carolina.